Member Questions 8-31-24

William C

I have spoiled my dig by adding to his kibble leftovers . What is the right way to fix this ?

Neil

Hi Robert! I recently took Archie (2 yo Cockapoo) to the beach for the first time, and it didn’t go well. It was a constant battle with him to not bark and growl at people and dogs who walked by us. He is fine when we are walking, but he gets territorial when we stay in one spot. At home, on our regular walks, we often sit on a bench so that he can practice being chill as people walk by, and he’s been doing well with that. And he generally has solid obedience (heels, recalls, etc). But he was almost unmanageable at the beach. (He played and swam in the water, so he wasn’t anxious about that.)

Bill M

Always trying to improve as a trainer (not a professional, just training my dogs). One area I’ve really thought about is moving from a word marker to a clicker. Why? I’m mid 60’s, very young for my age, but…I don’t feel I’m as sharp with words, and sometimes get them mixed up. For example, I’ll say “good boy” when I meant to say “yes”. Saying “good boy” to my female dog when I know 100% she is a she and vice versa with my male dog. I’m not going into dementia on anything like that. But, I can be sharper here. I feel a clicker would be more consistent on marking vs. my goof ups. Thoughts?

Jack M

I have a 16-week-old BM and she is a super sweet puppy and is socializing wonderfully. She will begin to work with a trainer who has experience with BM’s in K9 training and basic to advanced obedience. I also have contact with a trainer who trains in protection who I will also utilize. Until then I am working with her in basic obedience and she is doing well. My question is how long before the basic obedience begins to translate consistently without utilizing shaping, luring, and treats. She does respond occasionally but not consistently. What should my realistic expectations be?

Wade

We have a 17 mo male GSD male we’ve been very proud of. He heals, downs, sits, waits at doors and food, gets a lot of love and play. For the past 3-4 weeks, he’s growled at my wife and 14 yo son. Not the 10 year old girls and not me, except when I went to correct him when he was growling at my wife. He was scary though showing his teeth. I have corrected him on a few growls now—everyone I was there for. Some say neuter and train more, but I have friends who have had unneutered 1-2 year old mal an and they say they have never growled at them. My concern is he’s just showing us who he is. Can he turn out normal and non aggressive with neutering and training or will he always be likely to be growling or worse—-biting? Thank You.

Pedro

Hey Robert, About a year ago, I adopted an old GSD from a local shelter. He’s almost 12 now, and a fantastic sweet dog.

Due to his age and hip problems, I don’t really do any training that involves lots of repetitions, just take him on short walks. Do you recommend any training/exercises that would be fun and rewarding for him without physical stress?

I don’t really need him to improve anything, I just want him to be happy in his final years as all dogs should be.

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